Page 112 - ICE BUSINESS TIMES January 2020

Interview

in search of the problem. Nowadays, we don’t rely on one single modality, rather
adopt multiple modalities. For instance, general practice is to go forward with the
treatment using MRI. However, it needs to be substituted with X-rays and CT
scans. The reason being, MRI is a static picture but we also require dynamic
The Bone this knowledge is provided by dynamic tests. X-rays and CT scans can be
results. The patients have been seen to state no pain at rest but pain in movement;

investigated for these and thus cannot be discarded because you have an MRI.

Identity Can spinal injury lead to full/partial paralysis? What are the
recovery techniques, if any?
There are situations where the spinal cord can be completely transected – the
neural structures from one end to the other, loses its continuity. Thus, no nerve
continuity and loss of function. Once they lose their function, it’s the early
intervention; we cannot predict then what the future will hold for the patient.
Therefore, we need to maintain the environment for the nerves to recover. Starting
from maintaining the blood pressure, adequate pulse rate, oxygenation and
remove any compression of the chords, if present. Once they have the injury, they
should not discontinue their treatment on the idea of no recovery is happening.
DR. S. The main aim for these patients is
KARUNAKARAN rehabilitation, where we prevent issues of
joint stiffness, contractures and so on.
Director – Global Spine deadly. The three types of scoliosis are the conjunctival, Nowadays, there are inventions emerging
Institute & Senior Consultant adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and traumatic.
Spinal Surgery which allow us to externally control the joints
Gleneagles Global Hospital, Chennai through EMG movement. Hence, if you
Give us an account of your experience in Key-hole become stiff, the technology won’t work as
spine surgery? well, making it more important to maintain
Key-hole spine surgery is a big boon. It’s not because of the small joint health and thus the potential of being
incision required by this procedure, rather the boon is from the able to walk again through assistive external
tissue which is preserved which is vital for spine functions. devices.
What are the risks pertaining inflammatory problems, spine Tissue preserved is a function preserved. Hence, the key-hole
to conducting Spine Surgery? structure problems such as spine surgery brings down the overall discomfort and need for Please share your interests in the
stiffness, bending, weakening
How can we minimize the and so on. Additionally, with age medications at post-op and risk during the pre-op planning and specialties of Stitchless Spine
risks? there can osteoporosis issues execution. Surgery and Safe Spine Surgery?
Today patients are coming in after where the bones are not of their Stitchless spine surgery, you have all the
already taking an MRI test; more so, normal quality, soft or squishy; What are some key pain management techniques anatomy preserved, while the pathology
pondering and worrying about the thus, they can easily break. for the spine? How far does the (disease) is still targeted. This allows for the
results of the MRI. It’s integral to techniques/physiotherapy come in pain normal functioning again while the
understand that patients first need to alleviation? preservation of tissues, this is the beauty of
come in and state their problems – is Can you give us a brief Usually, it’s a multi-pronged approach. Giving one shot of this endoscopic stitchless spine surgery. I have
there pain? Where do they feel the pain account of cervical spine painkiller alone or substituting with just medication alone may about 20 years of experience with this and
is originating from? How long have pathologies? What are not be as effective. Combined simultaneously, with physiotherapy currently, this method is becoming more
they been suffering from this issue? the three types of and modification activities will better help them in their own established.
Once we know the complaint, we can scoliosis? pain management and also their need for further pain medication Safe spine surgeries provide many things, the
correlate with the investigation. The Cervical problems most common for pain alleviation. main aim being to not lose any nerve
key to success in surgery is the clinical would be spondylitis. Without functions. For instance for Scoliosis surgery,
symptoms, investigation and the compressing the nerve, it can How has the field evolved in the past 20 years? we monitor the spine functions during the
following treatment designed for the just be as neck pain. It can get (Innovations, patents, etc.) entire procedure to ensure its operational
stated problem. Hence, the surgery compressed because of the disc It has developed tremendously. One consistency.
today is of Safe Spine surgery. or general wear and tear. Even of them would be the preliminary
at a young age, a patient can investigation as we are now better What’s one piece of advice you
What are the prevailing Spinal suffer from a disk collapse or at understanding what the problem would give to your patients?
problems present in the 21st infections such as TB, which is and thus have a stronger Keep fit. The simplest thing to be aware of is
century? can be seen to be prevailing in understanding of the subsequent that the best economic exercise for the spine is
One of the common problems is back Asian countries. The TB of lungs treatment plan. The clarity in walking. Irrespective of pain, some form of
pain. See, back pain itself is not a is the most spoken about, diagnosis has grown massively, we functioning is imperative for bone health. You
disease but can be the result of a more however, TB of the bones is the know what the problem is and its sit way too much, everything will start to go
serious complication such as a disc next commonest prevailing origin accurately; no need to keep out of order. Sitting is the new smoking so
prolapse, degenerative disk, arthritis, disease and equally, if not more, searching. Before we would operate keep moving.

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